Rio Tinto showcases 187.7 carat rough diamond

Rio Tinto has showcased one of the world’s largest gem quality rough diamond to customers in the United States and Israel. The 187.7 carat rough diamond, known as the Diavik Foxfire, was discovered at the Diavik Diamond Mine in the remote Northwest Territories of Canada, 200km south of the Arctic Circle.

Rio Tinto Diamonds & Minerals chief executive Alan Davies said “We are delighted to showcase this exceptional, two billion-year-old Canadian diamond. Its ancient beginnings, together with the epic engineering feats required to unearth a diamond in the challenging sub-arctic environment, make it a true miracle of nature.”

Following its unveiling in Kensington Palace in London in December, the Diavik Foxfire will be showcased in New York and Tel Aviv for invitation-only viewings with prospective bidders –collectors, large diamond specialists and luxury jewellers.

Diavik Foxfire is being showcased in Tel Aviv during International Diamond Week, with Israel hosting a number of large stone manufacturer-specialists who have shown strong interest in this important diamond. Rio Tinto Diamonds general manager of Sales Patrick Coppens said “The combination of the Diavik Foxfire’s size, fascinating provenance and ethical pedigree is an important moment in time for the diamond industry. We many never again see a diamond of that size and quality from a Canadian diamond mine.”

The Diavik Foxfire will return to Antwerp for final viewings and auction at the end of May. It is likely that the 187.7 carat rough diamond will yield at least one very large polished diamond with its ultimate destiny likely to be in an exclusive heirloom piece of jewellery.